Adelchis of Benevento

Adelchis of Benevento (820-878) was the Duke of Benevento from 854 to 878, succeeding Radelgar of Benevento and preceding Guaifer of Benevento.

Biography
Adelchis of Benevento was born in 820 to the Italian Christian House of Radelchis, and was the son of Radelchis I of Benevento and the brother of Radelgar of Benevento. Adelchis succeeded his brother as Duke of Benevento in 854, and he had to deal with the Saracens to the south, King Louis the German of East Francia to the north, and the Theme of Longobardia of the Byzantine Empire to the east. In 860 he was defeated at Bari by the Saracens, and was forced to pay tribute to Emir Sawdan of Sawdanid Emirate. In 866 Emperor Louis the German defeated the Saracens and took Bari in 871, but when Louis garrisoned his troops in Beneventan fortresses to consolidate his control over southern Italy, Adelchis imprisoned the Emperor. When the Saracens invaded, he was forced to free Louis to lead his armies against the Saracens, but he would never be allowed into Benevento again. On 28 May 872 Pope Adrian II released Louis from his oath with Adelchis, but Adelchis defeated Louis when he tried to avenge himself. In May 878, Adelchis was assassinated, and was succeeded by Guaifer of Benevento.